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Majestic – From the splendor of Belle Époque to the jewel of the city
29 March, 2018 / , ,

In Rua de Santa Catarina, in the city
centre, Majestic is a must stop for those
who visit Porto. The privileged location,
the facade and the decoration make this a
unique venue in the city.

 

The space was inaugurated on the 17 of December
of 1921, but at that time it was called Elite.
Designed by the architect João Queirós, it functioned
as a kind of private club; with the change of name
to Majestic, it became a meeting point for the high
society, bohemians and intellectuals. Throughout its
history would be place of social gatherings, a point
of passage of artists that visited the city as well as
for statesmen and celebrities.
With the advent of World War II the cafe would enter
a period of decadence, the sale of its very rich estate
going to auction.
During the restoration carried out in the 1990s,
only wall fixtures, mirrors (from Antwerp) and
sofas were kept. Replicas of some pieces which had
disappeared were made so that the original spirit
could be maintained.
Since the mid-90s the Majestic has won a unique
place in the heart of Porto residents and tourists,
and has also won several international awards.

 

The space
The Majestic is a superb example of Art Nouveau,
featuring an imponent marble façade with three
elegant porches facing Rua de Santa Catarina. In the
interior, the great mirrors, the metal candelabras the
sculptures in stucco stand out.
The interior courtyard, built in 1925, was designed
as a winter garden. There was a time when there
was a window facing Rua de Passos Manuel, where
newspapers and tobacco were sold. In this courtyard
there are concerts during the summer, but all year
round the Majestic is also a cultural space, thanks to
the grand piano and the painting exhibitions on the
lower floor, which was once a billiard room.

Curiosities:
J. K. Rowling was a frequent patron of the
Majestic cafe when she lived in Porto and it is
believed that she started working on the book
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
there.
Former Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek
responded as follows when asked what he most
liked about his visit to Portugal: “Well … it was
Majestic … after all I am also a child of God … !!!”

Boavista Football Club – The club of “weird jerseys”
27 March, 2018 / ,

Portuguese champion in 2000/01, Boavista has over 100 years of history.
Established by the British, it stood out in the 90’s. The checkered jerseys led it to become known in Italy as “the club of weird jerseys.”

The British, which due to the business of Port Wine had a large community in the city, introduced football in Porto. The Boavista Footballers was set up in 1903, but few years later, due to a disagreement concerning the days when the matches should be held – the Portuguese preferred to play on Sundays whereas the British wanted to play on Saturdays – resulted in the subjects of His Majesty walking out on the club.

As Boavista Futebol Clube, it had a strong growth over the following decades. The main feature was winning the Portuguese Championship in 2000/01, but participation in European competition had been going on for some years. And it was in 1991/92 during a UEFA Cup qualifying match against Inter Milan, came up the nickname “club of weird jerseys,” an allusion to the black and white checkered jerseys.

The Bessa Stadium, renovated for Euro 2004, has a museum with the history of the club, a walk of fame and two sculptures by José Rodrigues in which the panther, the club symbol , is highlighted.


Did you know? Portuguese cinema was born in Porto.
23 March, 2018 / , ,

“A Saída do Pessoal Operário da Fábrica Confiança”, made in 1896, may have been the first film made in Portugal.

The birth of Portuguese cinema is connected to the city of Porto and a man who had photography as a hobby and commerce as his main activity.

Aurélio da Paz dos Reis was an image enthusiast and, in addition to fl owers and seeds, he also used to sell films, typewriters and automobiles. He pursued with interest all the innovations that were emerging at that time and he tried to buy a cinematograph from the Lumière brothers. Not succeeding, he acquired from his brother in law a chronophotograph device.

It was with this equipment that in 1896 he made what would be considered the first Portuguese film: “ A Saída do Pessoal Operário da Fábrica Confiança.”

This shirt factory, located on Rua de Santa Catarina, No. 181, was the chosen location, maybe influenced by the Lumière brothers fi lm (1894/1895), La Sortie de l’usine Lumière à Lyon.

The first movie theatre of the city, Salão Highlife, was inaugurated in 1906.

The Pharmacy Museum of Porto – The History of Humanity through Health
19 March, 2018 / ,

It is one of the lesser-known museums in Porto, but the stories it tells begin millions of years ago. Until March objects that have never been exposed will be shown.

Although situated off the usual tourist circuit, this museum exhibits and displays pieces that will arouse the interest of visitors of all ages. Until March 31, and to commemorate the 21 years of this museum, take advantage of the opportunity to visit the exhibition “Global Museum 20 + 1”, with objects that are now being shown for the first time to the public, as are the packaging of the first penicillin taken in  Portugal in 1945.

An iron mask, used in the seventeenth century to treat psychological or moral illnesses, or the backpack of medicines used by mountain climber João Garcia when he climbed the Everest are some of the articles you can see in this exhibition.

The Museum of Pharmacy shows objects used in ancient civilizations and different cultures, such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Incas, the Aztecs, Islam, Africa, Tibet, China or Japan amongst others. A reconstitution of an old Portuguese pharmacy shows the patrimony of the Portuguese pharmacy.

Information:

Rua Engª Ferreira Dias, 728, Porto

Hours: Monday to Friday, from 10 to 18h00 and the last Saturday of each month from 14 to 18h00.

Tickets: Adult € 5.00; Student € 3.50; 65 years and over, € 3.50; 50% for holders of Porto Card

Alexandre Quintanilha
15 March, 2018 / ,

Alexandre Quintanilha, internationally recognized scientist,  was born in Africa and lived in the United States before moving to Porto, where he directed and taught at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology until his retirement. He is currently a Member of Parliament in the Republic Assembly.

He was born in Mozambique on August 9, 1945, son of an Azorean and a German. His father was a famous biologist but Alexander began by studying physics. He graduated in Theoretical Physics at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. He later traveled to the United States and studied at the prestigious University of Berkeley, California. It was during this period and whilst living in San Francisco that he met Richard Zimler, then a student. Zimler, who he later married in Portugal, is nowadays a famous writer as well as a university professor.

Between 1983 and 1990 he was assistant director of the Energy and Environment section at the Lawrence National Laboratory. In the 90’s he was challenged to return to Portugal and help found the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, where he eventually became the director. The arrival to Porto happened at the invitation of the neurologist Corino de Andrade, who at the time was already planning to create the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar. It would be there that Alexandre Quintanilha would teach until he retired. He is the author of publications in the areas of Biology, Environment and Applied Physics. He is the only Portuguese member of the National Geographic Society’s Research and Exploration Council. He has published close to 100 articles in several worldwide scientific journals and was the editor and author of six volumes in areas of Biology and Environment. More than a scientist, Alexandre Quintanilha is a passionate for knowledge. He’s lived in three continents, speaks four languages ​​and likes to question what seems permanent. If at first he felt some difficulties adapting to the city, he quickly became infected by the beauty of Porto and by the friendly way in which he was received.

 

 

Art on the doors
13 March, 2018 /

A stroll through the streets of Porto, even for those who know the city, always reveals surprising details. Closely looking at the doors of older buildings might actually reveal an art almost forgotten: the door stops.

Before the invention of the bells, visitors were announced by knocking on doors. To ensure an audible sound and for the visitors not to hurt their hands, it was necessary to create an accessory placed in the door itself. The stops are often authentic works of art, representing hands, flowers and even animals. Using materials such as bronze, iron or brass, the stops were quite popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Aluminum doorbells and doors have made this object almost unnecessary, but there are still many houses that with them, even if they are no longer used.

The author of the page Porto a Penantes toured several points of the city and photographed some of the most original examples: from Foz to Baixa, passing through the historic area, there are many stops that adorn the city gates.

When you walk through the harbor, it’s worth spending some time discovering these little details.

PortoaPenantes

Suggestions by Jorge Curval
13 March, 2018 /

 

Born in Porto in 1958, Jorge Curval has participated in individual and collective exhibitions in Portugal and in countries such as Greece, Brazil, France and Spain. His favorite places in Porto reflect his love for art but also represent his constant search for innovation. This artist, is also a teacher and, above all, a lover of the good things in life.

Jorge Curval attended the Faculty of Fine Arts of Porto and since the mid 80’s that his work has been exhibited in galleries and events inside and outside Portugal. He has contributions in public and private collections, whilst dedicating part of his career to sharing knowledge.

Since 1997 he has taught Plastic Arts at the Faculdade Senior in Porto. Between 2001/2004 he taught plastic arts workshops at the Soares dos Reis National Museum in Oporto. Responsible for the Painting Workshops at the Museum of Memory of Vila do Conde and at the Palácio das Artes Foundation of the Youth of Porto. Painter, sculptor, designer and bon vivant, Jorge Curval suggests places in Porto dominated by art but without ever forgetting the outdoors to enjoy the tranquility and the landscape.

 

 

Bar:

In the summer, Base for its heterogeneous environment, its good atmosphere, for providing us with pure oxygen, being outdoors, and music. During winter, Bonaparte in Baixa, for its cosy decor and heterogeneity of people, with a mixture of different age groups and countries of origin.

Restaurant:

Digby, at the Hotel Torel Avantgarde, because in addition to feeling at home I enjoy a unique view of the Rio Douro and a carefully curated gastronomy to the flavours of the whole world.

City Tour:

Enjoy and walk in the city park, with its diverse land, sea and forest. It is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive parks in the world.

 

Statue:

The Exiled, at the Soares dos Reis Museum. I lived for 3 years as a supervisor of plastic arts workshops at this Museum and found this sculpture to be a perfect example of the Portuguese Romanticism.

Painting:

Instrument of music 1915-16, by Amadeu de Souza Cardoso from the private collection of the National Museum of Soares dos Reis.

Monument:

National Theater of São João, for being so classical and well recovered. It is to me a bookplate of the city. Not neglecting the Casa da Música and Serralves.

A secret of the city:

Situated behind the Palace of Justice, the Garden or Horto das Virtudes develops in terraces, allowing an excellent perspective on the Douro River and the imposing Alfândega do Porto. It is not a very well known or visited garden and whenever I visit it, I feel that it is like a secret in the city.

 

The first tram in the Iberian Peninsula
12 March, 2018 /

Up until the end of the 19th century, animal-drawn carriages were the most common transport. The first tram came to Germany in 1879. In September 1895, it would be Porto’s turn.

 

Porto developed quite a lot during the nineteenth century and in the last decade of that century it became increasingly necessary to find an economic means of transport that would allow the city to expand at a faster rate. The hypothesis of using elevators in steeper streets was considered, but the option ended up falling on the tram. Porto then became the first city of the Iberian Peninsula to receive the tram. The first line was inaugurated in 1895, connecting Carmo to Arrábida, and later Foz and Matosinhos. The arrival of buses and the increase in the number of cars have led to a reduction in the number of lines and passengers.

 

There are currently three lines in operation:

Line 1 makes the connection between the historic center and Jardim do Passeio Alegre, along the banks of the Douro River;

Line 18 – Connects Massarelos ao Carmo;

Line 22 – circular route between Carmo and Batalha / Guindais.

Jardim do Morro – Porto seen from Gaia
9 March, 2018 /

More than a garden, it is a privileged viewpoint of the Rio Douro and the city of Porto. The Jardim do Morro, in Gaia, is a brilliant spot to watch the sunset or to appreciate a casual stroll and enjoy the view.

For those in Porto, the access to this garden on the other side of the Rio Douro, can be done by metro since there is a station right in front, or by foot through the top deck of the Ponte D. Luís.

The garden, which has been recently refurbished, lies within in the spot where a hill once stood but ended up being destroyed, so as to build an avenue that connected Gaia to the top deck of the bridge and Porto.

The garden was inaugurated in 1927 and has since then become a privileged viewpoint to Porto. A lake, a cave and, recently, some stone benches have been strategically placed to make it that much more charming. The recent construction work improved the green spaces within it, as well as adding in a bar and other supportive structures.

 

 

 

 

 

Avenida da República, Vila Nova Gaia

The tragedy of the House of Mermaids
9 March, 2018 / ,

Also known as the Palácio da Bandeirinha, the Casa das Sereias (named after the two images that flank the main door) was built in the mid-18th century by the Portocarrero family.

The building, an imposing palace that still distinguishes itself in the landscape of the city, was built on the site of the Cemetery of the Hebrews and the old Jewish quarter. The family, despite its wealth and prestige, did not escape some tragic episodes. The owner of the estate died in a boat accident in the Douro and, since he had no children, the palace passed on to his brother.

In 1809, during the French Invasions, a group of people, convinced that one of the elements of the family was conniving with the French, slaughtered him in the courtyard of the house. The Portocarrero, who in the mean time lost other members of the family in a tragic way, left the palace and did not return. The building was closed until 1995. It was sold to the Institute of the Instituto das Filhas da Caridade who installed a college there that is still in operation.

 

 

 

 

The Tripeiro 7th series Year XXXIII, Number 3 March 2014